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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What kind of a life does Paul think he is leading?

2. According to Paul's assumption, what does the snow make in between the houses?

3. What does Paul notice in the gutter as he walks by it?

4. How does Paul describe Miss Buell's face?

5. What happens to the cobblestones as Paul's secret progresses?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Part 3 end, and what is the new sound that Paul hears?

2. How does Paul view his mother's concern at his disturbing behavior toward the end of Part 3?

3. Where is the snow when Paul first sees it during the examination?

4. How is the origin of the secret revealed in Part 1?

5. What does Paul's mother observe in Paul, and why is it significant?

6. How does Paul describe his shoes and the steps he is taking?

7. How is Paul's last response to his mother surprisingly looked at in his own mind?

8. What is it that the snow informs Paul he will see, and why?

9. What is Miss Buell teaching, and why is that significant?

10. How does Paul feel about his parents in Part 1 in relation to his secret?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aiken uses a number of literary techniques to deliver the messages in the story.

1) Describe and analyze three examples of symbolism in the story and their effects on it.

2) Describe and analyze three examples of foreshadowing in the story and their effects on it.

3) Describe and analyze the use of flashbacks in the story and why it was effective.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the setting of the story and the total length of time that transpires during it. Explain why Aiken chose this setting and time, including examples from from the story to illustrate the ways they both enhance it.

Essay Topic 3

In an analysis of Paul's walk home from school in Part 2, provide answers to the following:

1) What are three examples of things that Paul sees, and how do they represent the character's state of mind?

2) How is the snow used to counter reality? Describe the way Paul views the snow in comparison to the real things he encounters.

3) What is his general impression of the outside world? How has it changed, and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 828 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample